Friday, May 22, 2020

#AmphanSuperCyclone West Bengal: Letter to Narendra Modi

Dear Modi Ji,

When I got the limited internet access yesterday evening, I saw your tweets regarding the situation of West Bengal due to super cyclone. Later in the day, I also got to know that you would be visiting West Bengal today to take stock and review the relief process. I am also aware that your visit will also draw the due attention of mainstream media based in Delhi NCR (and mostly worked for them only) to West Bengal situation. I am very thankful for your kind gesture to decide to leave Delhi after so many days(about two months) just to take care!

However, I have one (personal) request to you. You may be fully aware that your govt and BJP workers have criticized the Mamta Didi for not implementing big central schemes like PM-KISAN. The criticism of TMC govt is rightly. They have deprived lacs of farmers of getting Direct cash benefits of Rs. 500 per month under PM-KISAN. West Bengal State has 7356557 farmers holding land in their names as per press release of Agriculture Ministry on 28th June 2019. None of these 73.57 lac farmers has got single rupees yet as the state government haven't allowed them to avail the benefits of this scheme due to political ego or gain. In contrast, various other farmers have received upto Rs 10000 in their bank accounts for five instalments of 2000 each for Dec 2018-July 2020. Your government has saved Rs 73,56,55,70,000 due to this ego clash with Mamta Didi. But the citizen, especially farmers living in the state, have no fault in this.

But, this is the time to deliver! You may still help people of West Bengal with a big heart. I humbly request you to allot Rs 7356.56 crores for relief and redevelopment of West Bengal in addition to whatever amount your govt has thought of. This additional money may be used for proper rehabilitation of 1 lac evacuated families(estimated) that too in order of 5 lac per family in worse effected areas. This would still left 2356 crores for redeveopling other effected areas.

If possible, do not let your party workers to play dirty politics on issues related to the super cyclone.